Three titles for Evans

Daniel Evans, a pupil at Lynn Grove High School, took all three titles at the Norfolk Schools Under 16s Championships, with Stephanie Buttle (Hellesdon) and Sarah Lewin (Thorpe St Andrew) each winning two. Evans started his triple conquest with a comfortable victory in the boys singles. He cruised through seven matches to reach the final, to face Lucas Lefevre (Notre Dame). Lefevre fought well, but, after some excellent rallies, Evans proved far too strong for his opponent, winning the title 15-4. The losing semi-finalists were Daniel Leers (Broadland High) and Chris Piff (CNS).

Evans reached his second final by teaming up with Lee Thomas (Costessey High) to beat Piff and Lefevre in the first semi-final of the level doubles. Ryan Minns (Smithdon High) and Jamie Smith (Wymondham College) played well in their semi to overcome James Worthington-Hill (Wymondham High) and Rohan Chitale (Norwich School) to reach a final, which was full of good rallies, but Evans extra power again proved decisive, with he and Thomas running out 15-9 winners.

Evans completed his hat trick by partnering Sarah Lewin to success in the mixed doubles, beating Paul Savage and Stephanie Buttle in the semis and then Ryan Minns and Stephanie Rowland (Caister High) 15-7 in the final.

The girls singles event was a very competitive affair. Stephanie Buttle comfortably won her group, with Stephanie Rowland runner up. But the other group produced a three way tie, with Emma Davies and Pavitra Chotai (both Norwich High for Girls) and Kirstie Spinks (Taverham High) all winning three out of their four matches. But Emma missed out on the semi-finals on points. In the semis, Buttle proved too strong for Spinks and, likewise, Chotai, playing with increasing confidence, was too good for Rowland. The final was another hard fought game, but Buttle has excellent racket skills and this was the decisive factor in her 15-8 victory.

The girls doubles was played in a round robin with Buttle and Lewin coming out on top to take their second title and Spinks and Chotai in second place.

Thirty boys took part in the singles, so the organisers ran a consolation event for those players who did not reach the knock out stage of the main competition. This was won by James Harrowven (Long Stratton) who beat George Britcher (Drayton) in the final. Simon Bowler (Taverham) and Rhodri Oliver (Greshams) were the losing semi-finalists.

* Those two Norfolk stalwarts, Eric Plane and Tim Hudson-Church, continue to sweep aside all opposition in the Over 40s section of Veterans Open Tournaments. This time it was the Scottish Open, with Eric Comfortably winning the singles title and then teaming up with Tim to take the level doubles. Tim, with his partner, Debbie Rigby from Lancashire, made it a hat trick of wins for the Norfolk duo, by coming out on top in the mixed doubles, a repeat of their Nationals success. Next month they will be representing England in an international match against Scotland.

* The Norfolk Over 50s team beat Northants 7-5 in the Veterans League, winning three mens, one ladies and three mixed doubles. Peter Astle and Alan Palmer won all their games, with Bob Tooby, Bob Henderson, Ann Hutchin, Linda Foster, Sandra Peacock and Carol Longland all contributing to a well deserved victory.

* The Under 17s enjoyed a very convincing 17-3 victory over the Bedfordshire second string in the latest round of Shires League matches. Team: Jonathan Cooper, Daniel Evans, Andrew Piff, Ryan Minns, Stephanie Buttle, Sarah Lewin, Kirstie Spinks and Pavitra Chotai.